Phagocytosis and Intracellular Fate of Pasteurella Tularensis

Abstract

In vitro phagocytic studies of normal and immune (from previously immunized animals) rabbit and guinea pig peritoneal and alveolar and mouse peritoneal mononuclear phagocytes were conducted. The cells were infected with four strains of Pasteurella tularensis of varying virulence for the three animal species. The effects of normal and immune autologous, homologous and heterologous sera on the ingestion and cytopeptic activities of these cells were observed. It was concluded from the studies that cellular factors are paramount in host mechanisms of resistance to P. tularensis in both natural and acquired immunity in these three species of animals, and that extracellular specific antibodies per se are of secondary importance in acquired immunity.